Old windmills have a certain type of enchantment – don’t you think?
This amazing place in Buckinghamshire, England was listed for sale last year.
Despite once being a working mill, the four white sails on The Windmill haven’t turned since 1912. That is the year a forward-thinker converted it into living quarters.
Located in a picturesque hamlet called Braziers End, this iconic structure has held court over the green fields since the mid-1800s. Earlier windmills preceded it but were demolished in favor of progressing technologies.
It has since sold but was listed for sale last year for £1.65 million (approximately $2 million USD). Not cheap, but this place is amazing!
The Windmill is now a charming five-bedroom residence brimming with character.
The Grade II Listed Historic Property includes an adjoining cottage for additional square footage.
The Windmill has an interesting connection to fame: the first residents were Gilbert Cannan and his new wife Mary (née Ansell), who had previously been married to JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan!
The decor is very English-country-cottage, but there are also some artifacts from the mill’s working days.
The original flywheel for the steam-powered engine has been preserved in the dining room.
Fairy lights and a sky-blue background have transformed this once-dusty agri-industrial mechanism into a whimsical centerpiece.
The cottage-style kitchen is actually quite spacious and light-filled.
The Cannans loved to entertain in their unique home and often had friends over including members of the famed Bloomsbury Group. Reputed visitors to the mill included DH Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield, and the painter Mark Gertler.
In fact, Gertler painted a now famous picture of the mill called ‘Gilbert Cannan at his Mill’ which is displayed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Gilbert Cannan at his Mill
The picture depicts Cannan outside the Mill with his two dogs.
How fabulous is that?
After the Cannans left the mill in 1916, it was rented by American actress Doris Keane. Then in the 1930’s, the mill was used as an art studio and classroom by the artist Bernard Adams.
A more recent resident was Sir David Hatch, director of BBC Radio. With all of the famous creatives who lived and spent time here, you have to wonder if there isn’t something magical about this place.
The Windmill has a total of 2,217 square feet of living space.
Back outside, the property features 0.3 acres of land.
The delightful ‘country garden’ with lovely views over the neighboring fields just adds to the endearment of this place.
Imagine living here!
A creative’s dream come true.
Sources:
www.countrylife.onthemarket.com/details/12215956/
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A very, very lovely place!